About the training program

Overview

Psychiatry training is a postgraduate medical course for doctors. Trainees who successfully complete the program are eligible to become Fellows of the RANZCP (FRANZCP). This qualifies them to practise independently as consultant psychiatrists in Australia or New Zealand.

The Fellowship Program takes a minimum of 60 months full-time equivalent (FTE) to complete. During the training period, trainees work as registrars in hospitals and clinics, where they are supervised by experienced psychiatrists.

Entry into the program

Prerequisites for applying to enter the Fellowship Program are:

successful completion of a medical degree

at least one year (FTE) of general medical training

current general registration as a medical practitioner in Australia or New Zealand.

Applicants are selected for psychiatry training based on their suitability, skills and experience.

The Royal Australian and New Zealand College of Psychiatrists (RANZCP) and the Royal Australasian College of Physicians (RACP) have together developed the Dual Fellowship Training Program (DFTP). Trainees who successfully complete the DFTP gain Fellowship of both Colleges (FRACP and FRANZCP).

Assessments

Workplace assessments

Trainees receive structured feedback on their performance in authentic workplace settings (e.g. discussing cases with their supervisors, or being observed during initial patient assessments, during clinical encounters and giving presentations to an audience).

In addition to the above, all trainees must be enrolled in a College-approved formal education course.

A Training Program Basics webinar is available on Learnit [member log-in required] to provide an overview of the training basics and is useful for trainees to navigate and get started. Some of the areas to be covered are:

Introduction to training program

Setting-up

Where to get information

What is supervision?

What College committees / bodies are important

Which documents need to be read?

Real world experience by trainees

Fellowship Competencies

By the end of the training program, trainees will have gained competence in the following major roles expected of a psychiatrist: